On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE), the SMSP Initiative shares the news that the new Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulation has been officially signed into law with the Official Gazette on Monday 31st March 2025.
A copy of the Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) (S.I. 18 of 2025) regulations can be found here – at this link.
This achievement marks a significant milestone of the SMSP process in our collective effort to sustainably manage Seychelles’ ocean resources and protect our ocean for future generations. MACCE and the SMSP thanks all of the stakeholders and participants for their inputs, dedication, and commitment to achieve this important milestone.
The next steps include to finalise the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan document following the comments received during the public review period in Feb-Mar 2025. The stakeholder and public comments are being integrated into the draft version of the Plan and then the final document will presented to the SMSP Executive Committee for their review and approval. The EC approved document will then be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for formal endorsement, as stipulated in the regulations.
For more information, please contact the SMSP Project Manager.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE), in collaboration with SeyCCAT and with support from the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative, is pleased to share the final report of the Updated Costing and Financing Options to implement the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan.
The aim of the consultancy was to:
Update the cost estimates of implementing the marine protection areas using the three cost scenarios from 2019.
Identify and prioritise existing and new financing options that can be scalable for the size of the new MPA system.
Identify the management models to improve cost effectiveness of implementation (to reduce the amount of financing required).
The report highlights the special considerations and unique challenges to finance large-scale MPAs, the estimated funding gap for the implementation of the SMSP for the full EEZ, and possible solutions for the additional capital needed to support long-term operations.
This report is the deliverable from a 5-month consultancy (Jun-Oct 2024) to update a Costing Analysis that was completed in 2019 by GoS-UND-gef’s Andy Rylance. For the 2024 consultancy, stakeholders were interviewed virtually and a workshop was held in Seychelles in Sep 2024 – click here for the Agenda.
Considerations for interpreting the results include limitations in updating the information from 2019 with data available in 2024, and confidentiality of government budgets. All numbers and figures should be considered estimates.
Please contact the SMSP Project Manager for any questions or additional information.
Consultant: John Bohorquez, PhD, Blue Economy Solutions Lab.
Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change, and Environment invite stakeholders and the public to review and comment on the DRAFT Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan document during a 28-day review period from 10 February – 10 March 2025.
In-country stakeholder consultations for the draft Marine Spatial Plan will be held to review the Plan, especially Chapter 4: Implementation of the SMSP and Chapter 5: Monitoring and Evaluation of the SMSP.
Instructions for the Stakeholder and Public Review – click here
SMSP Steering Committee and Technical Working Group. Please see SMSP Events Calendar. Date: 19th February 2025
Public information sessions. Please see advert below and SMSP Events Calendar Date: 20 February 2025
All review meetings are being held at the Eden Bleu Hotel on Mahe.
The DRAFT Plan will be available for a 28 day period and MACCE and the SMSP team requests stakeholder feedback through an online comment form using Survey Monkey.
To review: Please see the Marine Spatial Plan webpage for information and a link to the draft Plan and Survey Monkey comment form.
SeyCCAT and the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative seek a consultant or a consortium to develop the management plan for the Aldabra Group Marine National Park (Zone1), designated in 2020 under the National Parks and Nature Conservancy Act.
The consultant/consortium will be required to:
Convene initial meetings with stakeholders to define the timeline and scope. Conduct a desktop review of site usage, management needs, challenges, and opportunities. Draft the management plan using existing templates and aligning goals with SMSP regulations. Perform a biodiversity baseline assessment and stakeholder analysis. Evaluate management strategies and identify implementing agencies. Ensure adaptive monitoring and evaluation measures. Present and finalise the management plan through stakeholder consultations and public review.
Closing Date: 4pm Seychelles Time on Monday 20th January 2025 (Late submissions and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted).
The Seychelles debt conversion story is now available in a publication “The Seychelles debt-for-nature swap: A Case Study”. Published in March 2024 and authored by Didier Dogley, the project was funded by SeyCCAT through the support of Oceans5.
Featuring 10 chapters that include the key economic situation in 2014, opportunities, challenges, benefits, implementation and lessons learned. This 42-page case study also features colourful infographics explaining the journey from 2014-2018, the transaction design, the outputs and the ripple effect around the world.
View or download a copy of the Case Study from SeyCCAT’s website – click here
A consultancy is being sought to support the development of a five-year strategy for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Seychelles. The consultancy will lead in researching, developing, and presenting scenarios for future engagement in Seychelles, specifically, and the Western Indian Ocean region more broadly. The scope of work includes desktop research, interviews, identifying patterns, scenario building, and co-development with TNC of the preferred strategic scenario.
This is a short-term consultancy, ending 31st March 2025. International consultants are welcome to apply, but we recommend strong consideration be given to working in the Seychelles time zone and with a local consultant / partner.
SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY FOR THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN SEYCHELLES
Proposals should be sent to: Project Coordinator
Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT)
Ocean Gate House, Room 109, Flamboyant Avenue, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
NOTE: Please book an appointment in advance for hand deliveries
CLOSING DATE: 4pm Seychelles Time on 15th November 2024.
Late submissions and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Seychelles Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT.org) is an independent trust fund that empowers sustainable development of Seychelles’ blue economy by supporting impactful projects that address climate change and marine conservation challenges in the country. SeyCCAT grants are competitively awarded to public, private, and non-profit applicants based in the Seychelles.
The SMSP Initiative and SeyCCAT hosted a full day in-person workshop for an expert consultancy on updating the costing analysis for the MSP and 30% marine protection areas. Dr. John Bohorquez (Blue Economy Solutions Lab) was in country to present a draft report on evaluating financing options, meeting with stakeholders, and discussing analyses and draft results.
The draft final report and workshop summary will be available soon for stakeholder review and inputs. The final report and deliverables are due by 20 October 2024.
For questions, please contact SMSP Project Manager Helena Sims.
Email: helena.sims@tnc.org
SeyCCAT invites qualified applicants for the position of Project Coordinator, who will support the SMSP core team in steps to finalise and implement the Seychelles MSP. This is a 2-year term position in Seychelles, with possibility of extension.
Interested candidates should consult the full detailed Terms of Reference, available in electronic form from the e-mail address below, prior to preparing their application.
Application procedure: Upon reviewing the Terms of Reference please send job application (cover letter and CV) to the email (info@seyccat.org) or by post to Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust, Room 109, 1st Floor, Oceangate House, Victoria
Deadline for submission: 16th August 2024, at 5 PM.
Please note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
In honour of Ocean’s Day, participate in the Seychelles Ocean Fair, A Sustainable Ocean, an initiative of the Danny Faure Foundation. Events on 7-8 June 2024.
The Ocean Fair is an initiative of the Danny Faure Foundation (DFF) to celebrate World Ocean Day which takes place annually on 8 June. The objective of the Ocean Fair is to sensitize the public on the importance of working towards having a sustainable ocean. As an island nation, the Ocean plays a vital role in the economy and culture of Seychelles. A prosperous coastal economy depends on the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. The Ocean Fair will include the participation of governmental institutions, NGOs, educational institutions, agencies, local visual artists, and artisans. It will feature informational materials, educational games, and talks on the environment by experts. Art and crafts that have been inspired by the Ocean and made by Seychellois artists and artisans will be on sale.
Watch the livestream from the Opening Ceremony on Friday 7 June plus interviews with participating partners and organisations including SeyCCAT and the SMSP. Forward to the 2hrs and 45 mins in the YouTube video for the interview with Helena Sims, SMSP Project Manager.
SeyCCAT in collaboration with the Ministry for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) and the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) initiative seeks to recruit a consultant (or a team of consultants) to undertake a capacity needs assessment and develop a capacity building plan for the implementation of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) including the Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) of Seychelles.
The assignment includes the assessment of the capacity needs of existing and potentially new delegated authorities related to implementation of the SMSP including Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) of the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone, maritime security and enforcement, fisheries management and management of the MPAs and their management plans. A comprehensive capacity building plan will be developed based on the capacity needs assessment and should include clear and prioritised actions with an indicative budget and timeframe.
Terms of Reference, with a full description of duties, is available in electronic or paper form from the email addresses below or click here to download the ToR. These must be consulted before making an application.
CLOSING DATE: 4pm Seychelles Time on 26 June 2024 (Late submissions and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted).
Proposals should be sent to: Grants and Fundraising Officer
Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT)
Ocean Gate House, Room 109, Flamboyant Avenue, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
Convene initial meetings with stakeholders to define the timeline and scope.
